Friday

Nov 9, 2018 at 3:26 PMNov 9, 2018 at 9:42 PM

BEREA — Myles Garrett is in the midst of what will likely be his first Pro Bowl season, but to truly dominate every game, he'll need to learn how to consistently defeat multiple blockers at the same time.

It's a tall order, but it also comes with the territory for a pass rusher drafted first overall.

"It’s frustrating sometimes," Garrett said Friday as the Browns (2-6-1) prepared for Sunday's home game against the Atlanta Falcons (4-4). "But you’ve just got to do your best, work through those things, fight through double teams, fight through chips and open up opportunities for others to make plays.

"Can’t let it stop me. I’ve got to step my game up to another level. Find a way to push through and beat both of the guys, whether it’s one by one, going off the chipper and spinning off the tackle and getting to the quarterback’s face or just finding a way to be effective, not let them nullify me."

Garrett has received extra attention from opponents more frequently this season than he did last year as a rookie. He explained "it's uncommon" to get a one-on-one matchup with the opposing left tackle.

"Usually even when I do get one-on-ones, it’s a quick throw, so the percentage of me getting there is lowered as well," he said. "But it’s not going to stop me from fighting out there."

Still, Garrett is tied with the Denver Broncos' Von Miller and the Houston Texans' J.J. Watt for third in the NFL with nine sacks. The Minnesota Vikings' Danielle Hunter leads the league with 11.5 sacks, and the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald ranks second with 10.

"Myles is going to be Myles and lead the league," said Emmanuel Ogbah, who starts at left defensive end opposite Garrett. "Myles is a really good player, a great player. He has generational talent unlike anything you've ever seen."

"He'll learn and he is, week by week, how teams game plan for him," Williams said. "... What he has to do to counter, that's just the learning process."

Garrett reiterated he'll live with offside penalties because he doesn't want to sacrifice his ability to fire off the line of scrimmage as quickly as possible, but Williams is challenging him to find a balance. Garrett has been flagged six times this season for being offside.

"Get off is an extremely fine line," Williams said. "Want him to be as anticipatory as he can, but can’t hurt the team. One of his mentors in life is [Hall of Famer] Bruce Smith. He had a problem with that, too. I tease Bruce with that all of the time. [I tell him], 'Every time I see Myles get off [the ball too soon], I blame it on you.' "

Speaking of blame, Garrett said opposing offenses are at fault for his limited opportunities to prove himself as a run defender.

"They don’t run at me enough," said Garrett, who'll face a fellow Texas A&M product this weekend when he lines up across from Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews. "I might be asking for a lot, but I wish they’d run my way even more often."

Yet nothing is as annoying as the double teams he encounters. Well, nothing except for losing.

"I know the fans, it’s hard on them," Garrett said. "But it’s hard to actually endure it physically, you know, put your heart out there and you’re going play for play, tiring yourself out, fighting and grinding, going out there and putting everything out on the field and not getting the outcome you want.

"You’ve got to go out there and do the same thing week to week. It doesn’t matter the outcome. It’s just about putting greatness out there on film every time you step on the field."

If Garrett can achieve that goal, no matter how many blockers stand in his way, he should be able to help the Browns become a consistent winner.

"I still think I can do it," he said.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his Browns coverage at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ByNateUlrich and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.